App turns smartphones into security cameras and baby monitors
New app turns last generation smartphone into wireless web camera and remote assistant
Beacon Staff Reporter
App turns smartphones into security cameras, baby monitors and you can even remotely turn on lullaby music in baby’s room.
A new smartphone app is turning leftover iPhones and iPads into security cameras and baby monitors.
Many users have upgraded to new iPhones or iPads and their old devices can now be made into a remote video camera and audio monitor for free by installing the new app.
This groundbreaking smartphone app is set to revolutionise the Internet of Things movement by targeting at least 50 million leftover iPhones and iPads and convert them into first class citizens of the movement.
The smartphone app was demonstrated by People Power, which is the universal remote control for the Internet of Things, at a consumer electronics show.
The old iPhone or iPad needs no cellular voice or data plan and securely communicates over the home wi-fi network and via secure servers to stream video and sound to the new iPhone or iPad, within the home or anywhere out in the world where it connects over 3G or 4G wireless networks.
The other features include use of both front and back cameras of the smartphone, as well as the scheduling apps, phone flashlight remote control, and much more.
The Internet of Things is a giant opportunity where billions of devices from cameras, to smart plugs and power strips, energy meters, thermostats, door sensors, locks and light switches will be connected, monitored and controlled over the Internet, and via the cloud.
But getting billions of connected, compatible devices installed in consumers’ homes has proved difficult and slow.
“The necessity to buy special hardware and the complexity of setting things up has delayed adoption of the Internet of Things,” said Gene Wang, CEO of People Power.
“We will speed adoption by pressing into service millions of old but still-smart phones to create a no-cost solution that starts small but easily expands to ultimately control many devices in the home.”
Tom Kerber, Director of Research at leading industry analyst firm Parks Associates, said, “Using an old iPhone provides a no-cost starting point for home controls. The new app therefore brings the freemium model to home controls.”
With no additional hardware than the old smartphone gathering dust in a drawer, connected over wi-fi and requiring no additional cell service plan, the new app provides simple predefined and customizable rules to solve everyday household problems for busy people, who wish they could be in two places at once.
Did the kids get home from school OK today? Point the old smartphone at the front door, and select the rule that sends the new smartphone an alert and some video when the door opens. If by 4:15 p.m. nothing has happened, it can then be set to send an alert about that too.
Did Grandma get out of bed this morning? Point the old smartphone at the kitchen and if there’s no motion by 10 a.m., then send an alert to her daughter’s new smartphone.
Mom and Dad were invited for dinner at the next-door neighbor’s house but no babysitter is available. Set up the old smartphone as a video baby monitor and get alerted on the new smartphone if there’s a sound, and stream some video.
People Power Presence contains an in-app marketplace that features additional pre-tested compatible hardware you can purchase in a couple of clicks to add to your home monitoring and control system.
Remotely turn on 15 minutes of soothing lullaby music in the baby’s room, when noise is detected there.
If a suspicious character is detected walking up to the back door after midnight, turn on a light and start video recording.
Analyze just how much energy the home theater system uses in standby mode and set a schedule to turn it off when no-one’s moving in the house.
With no upfront cost, pricey dealer installation or additional monthly fee from your broadband provider, people can try the new app using their last generation smartphone and tablet.
Category: Technology
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